Bottle cap closure



P 1933- e. w. ALEXANDER 2,130,609

BOTTLE CAR CLOSURE Filed Feb. 24, 1937 Patented Sept. 20, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Thorndike Engineering Corporation,

bridge, Mass.

Application February 24, 1937, Serial No. 127,445

1 Claim.

Other objects and novel features comprising the construction and operation of the invention will be apparent as the description of the same 15 progresses.

In the drawing illustrating the preferred embodiment of my invention:

Fig. 1 illustrates a sheet-metal blank from which caps of the class described may be made;

20 Fig. 2 shows a second step in the preparation of the blank prior to crimping the edges of the same;

Fig. 3 shows a typical cross-section taken through the cap after it has been formed, this 25 cross-section being taken on the line indicated at 3-4 inFig. 2 and is increased in scale to about double size;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a completely formed cap particularly showing one of the weakened 30 sections having been turned up, as is the case when the cap is removed, and

Fig. 5 is a cross-section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4, particularly showing the weakened material at this point, and the same being greatly 5 exaggerated.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, the reference numeral l0 indicates a blank disc of metal from which my improved cap may be made. At certain points about the periphery, and ex- 40 tending inwardly toward the center, I have indicated, by the numeral ll, certain areas representing thin portions. There may be any number of these thinned places desired. These thinned areas are formed in any manner found consistent with shoppractice, as by means of dies etc. The degree of thinning to which the metal is subjected may vary under certain re- 6 quirements.

At Fig. 5, I have made an attempt to show an exaggerated cross-section in which I have indicated at l2 the normal thickness of the metal surrounding these portions l l, the material shown 10 in cross-section at I3 being the actual metal after the area has been thinned.

At Fig. 4 I have shown one of the metal closures after it has been crimped, and particularly showing one of the thinned areas having been lifted, 1 at H, and turned back. Each of the other areas ll may be treated in a like manner.

Normally, a cap of the class referred to is crimped over the raised lip of a bottle neck and requires considerable force to remove the same with bottle cap openers of various designs. In my improved cap, I have thirmed the metal adjacent the periphery of the disc from which the cap is made to a point where it is very easy to rip the metal along the edges from the periphery of the cap outlining the thinned portion. Any common tool or even the finger-nail of the operator will supply the required force to do this. The segment l4 may then be folded back, as shown at H, in Figs. 3 and 4. If desired indieating marks l5 may be placed on the outside of the cap to indicate the planes in which these weakened areas lie.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is: An improved bottle closure comprising a top portion and crimped side flange, a plurality of crimps on said side flange having a thickness of a. lesser gauge than the surrounding material comprising the rest of said closure. 40

GEORGE W. ALEXANDER. 

